Hand knitting apparatus



Oct. 25, 1966 A. LINSTEAD INVENTOK W BY WM M -{L Oct. 25, 1966 L. A.LINSTEAD 3,280,595

HAND KNI TTING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1965 :3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 25,1966 L, A, LWSTEAD 3,280,595

HAND KNI T'I'ING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 UnitedStates Patent 3,280,595 HAND KNITTING APPARATUS Lorraine A. Linstead,11934 Ventura Blvd, Loves Park, Ill. Fiied May 25, 1965, Ser. No.458,723 13 Claims. (Cl. 66-117) This is a continuation-impart ofapplication Serial No. 338,669, filed January 20, 1964.

This invention relates to knitting and more particularly to a handknitting apparatus.

In hand knitting carried on in the home, eflicient work requires thatthe knitter use a large number of different knitting needles and relatedapparatus. This is due to the variations in the characteristics ofarticles she may knit. For example, the article can range from small andtubular, as a baby bootie, to large and flat, as a blanket. Thus, theshape of the article and the number of stitches may vary in anyparticular article being knitted and, obviously, different types andlengths of needles are required. Likewise, the size of the yarn selectedor the particular design of the article may require any one of variousneedle sizes. For example, in decorative knitting, various sizes ofneedles may be required in the same row of stitches. This is true withrespect to both straight and circular needles.

When the article being knitted is to be set aside temporarily, asfrequently occurs with the hobbyist, or fitted on a person for size, orthe like, it is desirable that a stitch holder or work holder beprovided so that stitches are not dropped and the knitting ruined.Numerous stitch holders may be required for various size articles asdescribed above. Thus, the knitter may find herself faced with thepurchase of a number of stitch holders, as well as different knittingneedles, if she does a variety of knitting.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a handknitting apparatus, in new and useful kit form, and which includes avariety of carefully chosen related parts which are readily selectableand easily assembled into various knitting needle assemblies on stitchholders.

An object, related to the foregoing, is to provide a new and usefulcontainer for a. collection of integrated parts, adapted to be connectedor disconnected at the instance of the knitter, and for holding theparts in a predetermined, orderly manner which enables simplified visualselection of the parts and simplified storage thereof.

An important object is to provide a hand knitting apparatus that isadaptable to practically all of the situations that may be presented tothe hand knitter, and particularly that she may provide either stitchholders, or circular or straight needle assemblies through the use ofcommon elements and that she may provide such needle arrangements indifferent sizes, tips, and lengths.

It is another object to provide a hand knitting apparatus wherein a moreor less standard type and size flexible unit is provided which includesa flexible vinyl tubular element having couplings attached at either endand which may be associated with similar flexible units to providedifferent lengths for stitch holders or straight or circular knit-tingneedle assemblies and in which the vinyl tubular element may be easilyout and the coupling inserted into the cut end by the knitter to providea flexible member of selected length.

Still another object is to provide a hand knitting apparatus wherein theflexible member or unit of either a circular or straight knitting needlemay, without transfer of the stitches thereon, be utilized as a stitchholder by replacement of each needle by a flanged stitch stop.

Yet another object, related to the foregoing, is to provide anattachment for joining both ends of the flexible unit to form a circularstitch holder.

A further object of this invention is to provide flanged stitch stops ateither end of a flexible unit and which have interconnecting parts toform a circular stitch holder.

These, and other objects and advantages of the invention will be morereadily understood by reference to the following description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a novel kit arrangementconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a circular knitting needle assemblywherein separable components are associated in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a straight knitting needle assemblywherein the separable components are associated in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and showing a different form endcoupling member to be interposed between the flexible element and theknitting needle to form an angular connection therebetween;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a plurality of flexible membersmade under the present invention and associated with other components toform a circular stitch holder;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a female coupling member adapted to beinterposed between a pair of adjacent flexible members;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of one of the end coupling elements thatare associated with each end of the flexible tubular element;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and showing an end coupling elementwherein the opposite ends are arranged at an angle to each other;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a pair of flanged stitch stops havingmeans for interconnecting to form a circular stitch holder as shown inFIG. 5; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a connector element adapted to be used asshown in FIG. 5 for connecting the opposite ends of a flexible assemblyfor stitch holding as described.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a hand knitting kit isgenerally designated by the numeral 12, The particular kit, shown forpurposes of illustrating the invention, comprises a container, aplurality of related members that may be assembled in differentcombinations and relationships, and means in the container for receivingand storing the individual members. In this instance, the containerincludes a generally rectangular box structure 14 having a base andsides and open at the top. A closure in the form of a lid 16 ispreferably hinged to the box, as at 15, in order that the lid is alwayspresent for closing after the necessary parts required by the knitterare removed by her. In this manner, the parts are protected from loss ormisplacement when the lid is closed. In accordance with the invention,the individual components which go together to make up the kitarrangement, are assembled and positioned for easy access and storage.Accordingly, the invention provides an attractive sectional holdermember or shelf 18, suitably formed of plastic material and fittedwithin the box portion 14 as shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the shelf18 has downturned marginal flanges 19 for supporting the same on thebottom of the box 14. In order to permit the expansion of a number ofavailable parts in the kit, the shelf 18 has a centrally disposeddepression 20 recessed from the upper surface as by wall 19. A secondshelf or ,tray 22, is adapted to reside in the depression and issupported by downturned marginal flanges 23. The second shelf 22 issuitably formed of plastic material and is preferably substantiallytranslucent for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

As indicated, the kit 12 comprising the present invention includes avariety of related parts which may be assembled in differentcombinations and relationships at the will of the user to provide acircular knitting needle assembly 24, as shown in FIG. 2; a straightknitting needle assembly 26, as shown in FIG. 3; or a stitch holder suchas the circular stitch holder 28 illustrated in FIG. '5. Each needleassembly 24 or 26 may be made up of needles 32 of any selected size andmay embody one or more flexible members 33 so that the assemblies willhave the length that is required for the number of stitches involved inthe particular knitting project at hand.

As best indicated in FIG. 1, an exemplary kit 12 may convenientlycontain needles 32 from size through size 16. The needles 32 arepreferably about 5 /2 inches long with a tapered tip 34 at the forwardend thereof. The tips 34 may be of the usual or standard configurationillustrate-d, or may take specialized forms (not shown) as known tothose skilled in the art. At their left or rear ends, as shown in FIGS.2-4, the needles 32 are provided with an inwardly sloping or taperedportion 36 which provide a smooth transition to associated parts ofsmaller diameter to be hereinafter described. It is contemplated thatthis tapered or sloping portion 36 may terminate in a shoulder 37 havinga diameter that corresponds substantially equal with the diameter of endcouplings 38 of flexible units 33. Preferably no needle will have adiameter smaller than the diameter of the end coupling; however, thesmallest needle may be of substantially the same diameter and have agenerally smooth body portion with no end taper'36, as illustrated inFIG. 4.

The flexible units 33 comprise a flexible tubular member or element 40having end couplings 38 associated with opposite ends. Each end coupling38 includes an intermediate body portion 42 that has a diametersubstantially equal to the outer diameter of the flexible tube 40, aprojecting stem 44 of smaller diameter than'the body 42 but not lessthan the inside diameter of the flexible element 40, and a reducedthreaded stud 46 at its other end. In its preferred form, projectingstem 44 has a plurality of relatively sharp, annular retaining rings 45thereon. In this manner, the tubular element 40 may be force-d onto thestem 44 with the end of the tubular element abutting a shoulder 47 atthe adjacent end of the body 42, and the tubular element 40 will engageand be retained in position by the retaining rings 45. With the end ofthe tubular element generally contiguous to shoulder 45, the flexibleassembly 33 provides a generally smooth cylindrical surface along andover which knitting stitches may freely slide. The body portion 42 maybe relatively short, as shown in FIG. 7, or longer, as shown in FIGS.1-5, as is desired. Another form of stem is illustrated at 44"in FIG. 7.As shown, the surface of the stem 44' is substantially smooth and itsdiameter is slightly greater than the inner diameter of the flexibletube 40 to provide a snug fit therebetween.

The end couplings 38 may take different forms as shown, for example, inFIGS. 7 and 8) The various parts described above may be substantiallycoaxial (FIG. 7) or the intermediate portion or body 42 may be bentslightly '(FIG. 8) so that the threaded stud 46, is at a generallyobtuse angle to stem 44; The angulated end coupling of FIG. 8 isparticularly adapted to a short length circular knitting needle, forexample, 14" or less, one end of which is illustrated in FIG. 4. Itshould be noted that no two knitters hold their needles the same waywhile knitting. Thus, when using a circular knitting needle assembledwith the angulated end couplings 38', the knitter may find that the tipsof her needles are not aligned to suit her. Simply twisting the endcouplings in the tube 40 corrects this situation.

The flexible elements 40 are preferably in the form of an elongatehollow'tube preferably constructed of vinyl plastic. The vinyl plasticis advantageously of the type which isv very flexible and canstretch'somewhat under tension. In this manner, when an end coupling 38is inserted into the tube, the vinyl frictionally secures the couplingeven when it is relatively smooth, as shown in FIG. 7. In an applicationsimilar to the Chinese finger trick, pulling on the end coupling onlyserves to reduce the diameter of the flexible element 40 and moresecurely holds the end couplings 38 in frictional engagement therein.Since the flexibleelement is tubular throughout its entire length, theflexible element may be out to size by the user by cutting it to length,as with a razor blade, cutting out the end coupling 38 and pushing itinto the new end of the flexible element 40. This procedure can also beused in case of a failure of the flexible tubing. The

flexible members or assemblies 33, as shown in FIGS.

2-5, have an end coupling 38 at either end so that iden tical threadedstuds 46 project from each end of the flexible member 33 for associationwith other components of the knitting kit to provide an assembledknitting apparatus suitable to the problem at hand. Thus, the needles 32have axially internally threaded sockets 50 formed therein that arecomplemental to the studs 46 of the end couplings 38 so that the stud 46at one end of theflexible unit 33 may be threaded into the socket 50 ofsuch needle 32. At the other end of the flexible unit 33, may beassociated another needle, as shown in FIG. 2, or a flanged stitch stop62 as shown in FIG. 3. The flanged stitch stop 62 resembles a buttonlike head that has an axially internally threaded socket 66 formedtherein which is identical with the socket 50 previously described. Thethreaded stud 46 at the left end of the flexible unit may be threadedinto the socket 66 of the stitch stop 62 to thus complete the straightneedle assembly of FIG. 2. In an ordinary arrangement, the user wouldassemble two such straight needle assemblies to be use together.

While the flexible units 33 may be made up of any desired length, Iprefer to employ a plurality of standardized lengths for example, 12,14, 18, and 22 inches, so that. by association of a single unit 33 witha needle 32, a straight knitting needle assembly 26 of appropriatelength may be provided. Such standardized flexible units 33 may,however, be associated under this invention to provide other assemblieswhere greater length is desired. For this purpose, a female coupling 53is provided, as shown in FIG. 6. The coupling 53 constitutes a relatively short cylindrical body having a diameter substantially equal tothe diameter of the body 42 of the end couplings 38. The coupling hasaxially internally threaded sockets 54 in each to receive threaded studs46 of the couplings 38 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The body of thecoupling 53 has a radial bore 55, as do the inter body with a diameterslightly smaller than the diameter of bore 55. It is contemplated thatdifferent shapes and cross-sections can be utilized for the spannerwrench 56 and bore 55.

Because the flexible vinyl tubular element 40 is flexible, it will notkink or hold a permanent bend or set and, because of its tubular form,it is adapted for quick and easy repair in the home when this isrequired, as explained above. The flexible member serves, of course, toavoid the objectionable ravelling experienced in some prior circularneedles, as well as disjoining in the manner experienced where chainshave been used in the past. Additionally, the use of vinyl allows asimpler connection to one end coupling than has been possible inprevious arrangements in the past.

When a number of stitches have been formed on a needle assembly such asneedle assembly 24 shown in FIG. 2, these stitches may be convenientlyheld merely by pushing the stitches onto the flexible units 33,disconnecting the needles 32, and replacing them with interfittingflanged stitch stops 62 and 64. For this purpose, each of the flangedstitch stops has a threaded socket 66 and a button-like stitch-retainingflange 65. Additionally, the stitch stops 62 and 64 have a particularlyadvantageous interfitting arrangement. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 9, the interfitting arrangement comprises an annular upstandingboss 67 on the flange 65 of stitch stop 62 and an annular receivingmember 63 on the flange of stitch stop 64. The boss 67 is arranged tosnap into the receiving member 68 and be retained thereby, but is easilydisengaged by the knitter as she desires. When the stitch stops are usedat either end of a flexible member 33, an elongate stitch holder isformed; when these same stitch stops are interconnected, a circularstitch holder is found. It should be noted that this storage or holdingoperation is accomplished without the usual transfer of stitches from aneedle to a stitch holder. It is contemplated that other forms andarrangements of interfitting stitch stops may be used.

An alternate means for making a circular stitch holder is illustrated inFIG. 10. The embodiment illustrated is in the form of a union-typecoupler 72 comprising a pair of similar cylindrical bodies 74 which maybe of the same diameter as the end coupling body 42 having an axialthreaded socket 75 in one end to receive threaded studs 46 of endcoupling 38. At the opposite end of each body 74 is an outward circularflange 76 which is held in face to face relationship with the otherflange 76 by a flanged annular member 78. The annular member 78 holdsthe bodies 74 substantially coaxial and for rotation independ ently ofeach other. Radial bores 55 are conveniently formed in each body toreceive spanner wrench 56 and thereby facilitate connection anddisconnection to the end couplings 38.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the presentinvention provides hand knitting apparatus whereby a kit having arelatively small number of interrelated parts or components enables thehand knitter to provide needle assemblies of either the straight orcircular kind having the most advantageous length, and having needles ofthe desired size and with the desired tip. It should be apparent thatthe length of the needle assembly may be varied during the course ofknitting merely by adding an additional flexible member to its length asrequired, for example, when a substantially triangular piece of knittingis being formed.

It will also be evident that under the present invention, the flexibleportion of either the straight or circular needle assembly may bedetached from the needles, and used as a stitch holder without trans-ferof the stitches. The flanged stitch stops utilized to form asubstantially straight knitting needle as shown in FIG. 3, may besnapped onto an interconnecting stitch stop which replaces the needle toform the compact circular stitch holder of FIG. 5.

The flexible members 33, of course, are an essential part of the hit 12,being utilized in each of the usable assemblies, and immediate access tothem to provided in arcuate recess 81 extends around through sides ofthe A depression 20. A plurality of walls or partitions 82 are providedin the recess 81 to define a plurality of:

individual grooves for receiving a number of flexiblei units. So as toprovide easy removal from the particular groove in which they reside,the walls 82 have a length less than the length of the recess 81 andconveniently terminate near the center, as at 83, in order to providespace for the fingers to reach in and remove the flexible units orcords.

In a similar manner, each of the shelves 18 and 22 has a recess 86 forholding a plurality of pairs of knitting needles 32. Each recess 86 hasa pluarlity of partitions or walls 87 for conveniently defining acompartment for each pair of needles. Each partition 87 conveniently hasa length less than the length of the needles to provide easy removalthereof. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each shelf may have a number adjacenteach compartment to indicate the needle size therein contained.

R-ecesses are also provided for stitch stops 62 and 64, female couplings53, and spanner wrench 56, and the recesses are conveniently oversizedto permit ready removal and replacement. In the embodiment illustrated,generally circular groove-s 88 are provided in each shelf for the stitchstops, and elongate grooves 89 are provided in each she-1f for thefemale couplings and spanner wrenches.

Because the small size knitting needles have a greater tendency to belost, and are more diflicult to handle, they are preferably placed inthe slots provided in the recess portion 20 of the main shelf 18. Inaccordance with the invention, the second shelf or tray 22 issubstantially translucent and adapted to fit in the recess 20. Thus,when the translucent tray 22 is in place, the parts beneath the tray areprotected from loss or misplacement; yet are readily seen by reason ofthe translucency. This permits visual inspection of the kit andimmediate cognizance of availability or absence of any particular partof the kit. Thus, with a place for every part and every part in itsplace, the utility of the kit is greatly enhanced and the user mayeasily keep track of all particular parts.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it is to be understood that this is by way ofillustration and not limitation and that changes and variations may bemade by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit andscope of the appended claims and I do not wish to be limited except asrequired by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hand knitting kit comprising a plurality of pairs of knittingneedles providing an assortment of diiferent s1zes, each needle having atip at one end and a threaded axial socket at the end opposite said tip,a plurality of flexible units having a generally uniform outer diameternot greater than the smallest needle, said units comprismg a flexiblevinyl tubular member of predetermined outer and inner diameters andidentical coupling members associated with opposite ends thereof, eachsaid coupling member having an axial threaded stud at one end forengagement with a needle, an intermediate portion having an outerdiameter generally equal to the outer diameter of said tubular member,and a stem at the other end fnictionally secured to the inside wall ofsaid tubular member, and at least one generally cylindrical femalecoupling having a diameter generally equal to the diameter of saidintermediate port-ion of said coupling members and axial threadedsockets in opposite ends thereof for engagement with separate flexibleunits.

2. A hand knitting kit comprising a plurality of pairs of knittingneedles providing an assortment of different sizes, each needle having atip at one end and a threaded socket at the end opposite said tip, aplurality of flanged stitch stops each having a threaded socket therein,a

,plurality of flexible units having a generally uniform outer diameternot greater than the smallest needle, said units comprising a flexiblevinyl tubular member having predetermined outer and inner diameters andidentical coupling members associated with opposite ends thereof, saidcoupling members having axial threaded studs at one end for selectiveengagement to said needles andwsaid stitch stops, an intermediateportion having an outer diameter approximately the outer diameter ofsaid tubular member, and a stem at the other end frictionally secured tothe inside wall of said tubular memher.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each coupling member has a radialbore in the intermediate portion thereof, and including a wrench havingone end shaped for engagement with said radial bore whereby the couplingmember may be tightly secured to the threaded socket of the flangedstitch stops and needles.

4. A hand knitting apparatus comprising a knitting needle having a tipat one end and a threaded axial recess at the other, a flexible unitincluding a flexible vinyl tubular member of predetermined outer andinner diameter and identical coupling members associated with oppositeends thereof, each said coupling member having an axial threaded stud atone end, an intermediate portion having an outer diameter approximatingthe outer diameter of said tubular member, and a stem at the other endfrictionally secured to the inner wall of said vinyl tubular member, oneof said axial threaded studs threaded into said threaded axialrecess ofsaid needle, and means threaded onto the other axial threaded stud fordefining the other end of the apparatus.

5. In hand knitting apparatus, an elongated flexible unit for selectiveengagement with knitting needles or stitch stops and comprising aflexible vinyl tubular member having predetermined outer and innerdiameters, and identical coupling members associated with opposite endsthereof, each coupling member having an axial stem at one end insertedinto said vinyl tubular member and attached thereto, an intermediateportion having a diameter equal ot the outer diameter of said vinyltubular member, and an axial threaded stud at the other end thereof,said intermediate portion having a radial bore therein for receiving theend of a wrench for engaging and disengaging said unit from the knittingneedles and the stitch stops.

6. In hand knitting apparatus, a stitch holder comprising a pairofflanged stitch stops each having a threaded socket therein, a flexiblevinyl tubular member having predetermined outer and inner diameters,identical coupling members associated with opposite ends thereof, eachcoupling having an axialstem at one end inserted into said vinyl tubularmember and frictionally secured thereto, an intermediate portion havinga diameter generally equal to the outer diameter of said vinyl tubularmember, and an axial threaded stud at the other end thereof, saidthreaded stud of each coupling member threaded into the threaded socketof one of said flanged stitch stops, and means on said flanged stitchstops for retaining them in juxtaposition.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each flanged stitch stop comprises agenerally cylindrical body having said threaded socket located axiallythereof, a generally cylindrical head axially attached to said body andhaving a diameter larger than the diameter of said body, and saidlast-mentioned means comprises a substantially annular member having agenerally U-shaped cross-section for holding said flanged stitch stopswith their heads in juxtaposition and their threaded sockets gene-rallycoaxial, and so constructed and arranged that one flanged stitch stopmay be turned about said axis and relative to the other.

8. In hand knitting apparatus, a stitch holder compris ing an elongateflexible unit adapted to receive a plurality of stitches, a first stitchstop having means for detach ably connecting to one end of said flexibleunit and means defining an outwardly extending portion, a second stitchstop having means for detachably connecting to the other end of saidflexible unit and receiving means for lockingly engaging said extendingportion.

9. In hand knitting apparatus, a stitch holder comprising an elongateflexible unit for slidably receiving a plurality' of stitches, a firststitch stopincluding a gene-rally cylindrical head having a diameterlarger than said flexible unit, means for detachably connecting to oneend of said flexible unit, and an upstanding boss on said head, and asecond stitch stop including a generallycylind-rical head having adiameter larger than said flexible unit, means for detachably connectingto the other end of said flexible unit, and a receiving member .on saidhead for lockingly engaging said upstanding boss thereby securing saidfirst and second stitch stops together.

10. In a hand knitting apparatus the combination of: a flexible tubularmember of vinyl material and having predetermined outer and innerdiameters, and identical coupling members associated with opposite endsof the tubular member, each coupling member including a cylindricalintermediate portion having a diameter equal to the outer diameter ofsaid tubular member, an axial stem at one end of the intermediateportion inserted into said tubular member and frictionally secured tothe inner wall thereof, the end of the tubular member being contiguousto said one end of the intermediate portionto provide a smooth jointtherebetween, and an axial threaded stud at the other end of theintermediate portion.

11. In a hand knitting apparatus, the combination of: a flexible tubularmember of vinyl material and having predetermined outer and innerdiameters, and identical coupling members associated withopposite endsof the tubular members, each coupling member including an intermediateportion having a generally circular crosssection of a diameter equal tothe outer diameter of said tubular member, an axial stem at one end ofthe intermediate portion inserted into said tubular member andfrictionally secured to the inner wall thereof, the end of the tubularmember being contiguous to said one end of the intermediate portion toprovide a smooth joint there-. between, an axialstud at the other end ofthe intermediate portion, and said intermediate portion being curvedbetween itsends so that the stem is at an obtuse angle with respect tothe stud.

12. A hand knitting apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said stemhas a generally smooth surface and a diameter slightly greater than theinner diameter of the tubular member to provide a snug frictional fitwith the inner wall thereof.

13. A hand knitting apparatus comprising a knitting needle having a tipat one end vand a threaded axial recess at the other, a flexible unitincluding a flexible plastic tubular member of predetermined outer andinner diameters and coupling members associated with opposite endsthereof, each coupling member having an axial threaded stud at one end,an intermediate portion having an outer diameter approximating the outerdiameter of said tubular member, and a stem at the other endfrictionally secured to the inner Wall of said tubular member, the axialthreaded stud of one coupling member threaded into said threaded axialrecess of said needle, said one coupling (References on following page)References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Robbins 66-117Kohlrnann 66-117 Colton 206-16 FOREIGN PATENTS France. France. GreatBritain. Great Britain. Great Britain.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

DONALD W. PARKER, Examiner. 15 R. FELDBAUM, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,280,595 October 25, 1966 Lorraine A. Linstead It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction andthat the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 7, line 46, for "0t" read to column 8, line 50, for the claimreference numeral "7" read 4 Signed and sealed this 12th day ofSeptember 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner ofPatents

1. A HAND KNITTING KIT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF KNITTINGNEEDLES PROVIDING AN ASSORTMENT OF DIFFERENT SIZES, EACH NEEDLE HAVING ATIP AT ONE END AND THREADED AXIAL SOCKET AT THE END OPPOSITE SAID TIP, APLURALITY OF FLEXIBLE UNITS HAVING A GENERALLY UNIFORM OUTER DIAMETERNOT GREATER THAN THE SMALLEST NEEDLE, SAID UNITS COMPRISING A FLEXIBLEVINYL TUBULAR MEMBER OF PREDETERMINED OUTER AND INNER DIAMETERS ANDIDENTICAL COUPLING MEMBERS ASSOCIATED WITH OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, EACHSAID COUPLING MEMBER HAVING AN AXIAL THREADED STUD AT ONE END FORENGAGEMENT WITH A NEEDLE, AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION HAVING AN OUTERDIAMETER GENERALLY EQUAL TO THE OUTER DIAMETER OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER,AND A STEM AT THE OTHER END FRICTIONALLY SECURED TO THE INSIDE WALL OFSAID TUBULAR MEMBER, AND AT LEAST ONE GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL FEMALECOUPLING HAVING A DIAMETER GENERALLY EQUAL TO THE DIAMETER OF SAIDINTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID COUPLING MEMBERS AND AXIAL THREADED SOCKETSIN OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SEPARATE FLEXIBLE UNITS.